During Sunday's 110-108 win over the Miami Heat at the Kaseya Center, Washington Wizards rookie forward Bilal Coulibaly turned his ankle while retrieving a rebound late in the fourth quarter. Wizards interim coach Brian Keefe briefly left Coulibaly in the game but his evident struggle to move up and down the floor gave Keefe no choice but to sub him out for Jordan Poole.
Despite his injury scare, Coulibaly checked back into the game with 12 seconds to play, needing a stop to seal Washington's second consecutive win. The Wizards' rookie made a great defensive play on Duncan Robinson during the final possession, altering his attempt at a go-ahead three-pointer.
Bilal Coulibaly's status for Washington Wizards at Memphis Grizzlies on March 12
According to Josh Robbins, who covers the Wizards for The Athletic, Coulibaly was not present on the team's injury report on Monday. Although it had appeared to be something more serious based on Coulibaly's body language Sunday, the 19-year-old should be a full go against the Memphis Grizzlies on Tuesday.
In the Wizards' previous clash with the Grizzlies back in October, Bilal failed to score in 14 minutes off the bench. The game was just his second look at NBA action and is one of only two games this season in which he has been held scoreless. Coulibaly will look to make his presence felt and complete the season sweep of the Grizzlies on Tuesday.
Injury report for Washington Wizards at Memphis Grizzlies on March 12
While Coulibaly seems to have recovered well from his injury, the Wizards find themselves strapped at the center position. Marvin Bagley III will miss a third consecutive game due to back spasms that cost him the final minutes of last week's battle with the Utah Jazz. Joining Bagley on the injury report are Landry Shamet, who has been ruled out with a left calf strain, and Richaun Holmes, who is questionable to play in Memphis after missing Sunday's game with a left big toe sprain.
On the Grizzlies' side, injuries have ravaged their roster. On Monday, Memphis had a whopping 13 players listed on their injury report, including nine players who have already been ruled out. The Grizzlies' three questionable players include Jordan Goodwin, John Konchar, and Lamar Stevens.
.@memgrizz status report, March 12 vs @WashWizards: pic.twitter.com/nNMzG5lp6V
— Grizzlies PR (@GrizzliesPR) March 11, 2024
With the state of their roster, the Grizzlies present an opportunity for the Wizards to enter a game as the odds-on favorite, something that Washington has not seen very often this season.
Washington Wizards' upcoming schedule
Following Tuesday's matchup in Memphis, the Wizards will continue their week-long road trip with a stop in Houston to face the Rockets on Thursday. The trip wraps up on Saturday when the Wizards will clash with the Chicago Bulls at the United Center, the first of back-to-back games for Washington.
Thursday, March 14 vs. Houston Rockets at 8:00 PM ET
Saturday, March 16 vs. Chicago Bulls at 8:00 PM ET
Sunday, March 17 vs. Boston Celtics at 6:00 PM ET